transferase

[ trans-fuh-reys, -reyz ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. any of the class of enzymes, as the transaminases that catalyze the transfer of an organic group from one compound to another.

transferase

/ ˈtrænsfəˌreɪs /

noun

1. any enzyme that catalyses the transfer of a chemical group from one substance to another

Word History and Origins

Origin of transferase¹

First recorded in 1945–50; transfer + -ase

Example Sentences

All RAS proteins have a fatty tail, created by an enzyme called farnesyl transferase, with which they latch on to the cancer cell membrane.

From The Guardian

So the idea was to hobble Ras activity by finding drugs that inhibit farnesyl transferase.

From Nature

Arcadia Biosciences, based in Davis, California, has taken a gene for an enzyme called alanine amino­transferase from barley and incorporated it into other crops to encourage them to absorb nitrogen before microbes do.

From Nature

Antabuse may do that by blocking an enzyme called methyl transferase, or DNMT, that helps HIV go to sleep in cells, The Alfred’s Cameron said.

From BusinessWeek

RAS proteins, it turns out, contain an enzyme that can create a new fatty tail if farnesyl transferase isn’t functioning.

From The Guardian